The Basics: Wet-Dry Vacuums

Imagine a vacuum cleaner that isn't afraid of anything. It can pick up nuts and bolts, leaves, pebbles, debris from the remodeling process and even spilled water. That's a good description of a wet-dry vacuum. And most folks can find a good reason to own one.

These electric tools are simple to operate and come in sizes and shapes to fit a variety of needs, from a small handheld cordless unit to a hefty commercial model that will pick up debris like an anteater on steroids. And because they are simple in design and operation, wet-dry vacs are relatively inexpensive. You can buy one for less than the cost of a standard household vacuum -- just don't expect a lot of fancy features.

Shop-Vac brand claims to have originated the wet-dry vacuum tool more than 40 years ago. That's why many people refer to all wet-dry vacs as Shop-Vacs. Today, there are many good brands of wet-dry vacuums, including Craftsman, RIDGID, Koblenz, DeWalt, Stinger, Emerson and others.

Warranties on wet-dry-vacs vary from model to model. Some units have a simple 1-year limited warranty while others have a "lifetime" warranty with fine print. Typically you want a unit with the longest warranty on the motor, which is the most expensive and complicated part of the wet-dry vac.

Five Key Questions To Ask Before You Buy
1. What do you want to clean up? Wet-dry vacuums come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from small handheld and wall-mounted units to machines that need 8-inch rear wheels in order to be moved around. Most wet-dry vacs include two rigid extension wands and one or more nozzles. The wands simply let you vacuum up things farther away. The nozzles have specially shaped tips that can pick up larger objects (debris) or focus the vacuum power to pick up smaller things (dust) faster. Most wet-dry vacs come with two nozzles, while some models offer three or four nozzles. If you use your vac to clean out the car's interior you'll want a small upholstery brush. If most of the time you're simply cleaning up a work area, a single utility nozzle will suffice. Remember that if you have to alternate between vacuuming wet and dry materials, you will need to modify the vac each time, and some models are easier to switch than others.

2. How much do you want to clean up before emptying it? The stated capacity of wet-dry vacuums range from 5 to 20 gallons -- most common is in the middle, about ten gallons. However, actual debris capacity is usually less than the stated volume capacity by about 20 percent. So a 10-gallon tank may hold only 8 gallons of debris before filling the hose. If most of your vacuuming will be small objects, a smaller tank will be sufficient. If you will use it primarily as a wet vac for large spills or to empty an aquarium, consider purchasing a unit with a larger tank.

3. Where do you want to clean it up? Vacuuming up around the shop may not need a long hose or power cord. However, cleaning an area you can't otherwise reach means you should consider a longer hose. Hoses range from 6 to 18 feet, with a 7-foot hose being the most popular size. If your shop or deck doesn't have a lot of electrical outlets, consider a unit with a longer power cord. They range from 10 feet (most common) to 20 feet. Of course, you also can use an extension cord if needed. There are small, battery-operated cordless wet-dry vacuums but most aren't useful for more than small spills.

4. How much power do you need? As you shop for wet-dry vacuums you'll see that nearly all are rated in horsepower or peak horsepower (PHP). Consider these numbers as relative rankings among different models; for example, a 5 PHP vac has more power than a 3 PHP vac. However, what you really want to know is what is the motor's amperage? That's because wet-dry vacs use electric motors (measured in amps) rather than fuel engines (measured in horsepower). Manufacturers have to do some funny math to turn amps into HP or PHP. Check the box or the documentation inside to determine the unit's amperage.

5. What value do you place on wet-dry vacuuming? As you begin shopping for a wet-dry vacuum you'll see prices all over the spectrum from under $40 to over $200. What is the tool worth to you? If you periodically clean off sawdust on your workbench, a small and low-cost model will probably be enough. If you need a wet-dry vac with pump to seasonally drain your above-ground pool, plan on spending at least $100. If you spend as much time in your shop as in your living room, consider a wet-dry vac a major appliance purchase. You should plan on keeping your wet-dry vac for at least five years. With care and regular changing of the filter your wet-dry vacuum can last ten years or more.

How to Shop

Wet-dry vacuums are available at hardware stores and building material retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Sears, Tru-Value, Ace Hardware, OSH and others. In addition, you can buy them online at Amazon.com, Northern Tool and other sites. You can shop and compare prices by model number. However, many big-box retailers have exclusive brands or models that you can't find at their competitors. Shop-Vacs, for example, are available at Lowe's, but not at The Home Depot, who carries RIDGID. And only Sears stores carry Craftsman models.

Wet-dry vacuums are year-round tools that you'll find in stores just about any time you go. And, because of their simplicity, models aren't subject to yearly changes so model numbers stay around for a while. You can save a few bucks if you wait and watch for sales. Some models end up becoming discounted, but that means the last of those units should be offered to you for a savings of 10 to 20 percent. Wet-dry vacuums are handy tools for your shop and you can probably find many good reasons to own one.